It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year

The weather's right.  It's time.  I can feel it in my bones.  My favorite time of year is here.  It is...

(Drumroll please...)

Boilermaker Football.

Next Sunday, at 3am local time, my Boilers will be on the road taking on Cincinnati.  I can't be there in person.  And I will be relying on the questionable internet  to be able to watch them at all.  But I'm still pumped. After, all, I am a Boilermaker.

Somewhat embarrassingly, of the 10 best moments in my life, Purdue is in some way involved in at least 7 of them.  So this web log is dedicated to some of those moments.

At the top is a play for which a picture won't do justice:

 

My first Homecoming

Tailgating at Slaytor Hill during All-American Marching Band Pregame show

Marching with Uncle Scott and the Alumni Band

Mecca for any fan of the Big Ten.

BOILER UP

Win in Evanston with my college room mates

Homecoming Pep Rally - Joe Tiller signature on football

Game at Rice

After big win against Ohio State

Boilermakers don't smile

I expect to see this often on 9/14, when the hated Irish come to town.

I told Katie today that no matter where we are, no matter our plans, we'll be in Pasadena on 1/1 if Purdue's there.  That's just the fine print on any Christmas plans that came with marrying me.

All Hail Our Old Purdue

Catching Up

It looks like I have to apologize yet again for my lack of blogging, but here is what we have been up to the past few weeks:

My School Sailing Adventure
I had a fun Monday at work as I got to go sailing with some of my students through a charity called Sailors with Disabilities.  We all had the opportunity to steer the boat and work some of the ropes to raise the sails.  So much fun!

 
Our Weekend Adventure in Noosa
Nick was able to sneak away from work early on a Friday and we made the 4 1/2 hour drive south to Noosa.  We had beautiful weather and were able to get plenty of good meals and shopping in while we were there.  Can't beat 70 degrees in the dead of winter.

Boomtown
About a month ago Gladstone had a big show outside at the marina called Boomtown.  The city was abuzz so Nick and I decided to pack a picnic and check out what all the fuss was about.  The premise of the show was basically, "yes, we know Gladstone isn't the greatest place but make the most of what you've got"!  Well Boomtown, we couldn't agree more!  In a curious way watching mediocre talent can sometimes be more entertaining than watching top talent.  See if you agree:

My New Car
Dad, shield your eyes...it is very difficult to find Fords in Gladstone.

And finally Nick's Failed Attempt at a Mustache

Whew!  Feels good to be all caught up:).

Monday Night Sewing

Everyone busy working on their sewing projects

Maria helping Ella with her beautiful circle quilt

Maria's little sewing shop

My first quilt, need to add the binding

Dolls I made for Sanna and Riley

A few embroidery projects

Hawaii

Dawsie Bear

It has been a teary few days thinking about the loss of my childhood dog, Dawson.  He was an important part of my childhood and brought a lot of joy into my life.  I thought I would share some of my happiest memories.

I remember the day we brought home Dawson my friends had a softball game at the elementary school.  My mom dropped Dawson and I off and we walked over to the swings.  Dawson was three months old when we got him and pretty good sized, but I picked him up and put him on my lap like a human and started swinging away.  It must have been a pretty hilarious sight, as all my friends ran over laughing but non the less they were very impressed with my new puppy.

Dawson was extra frisky in the snow and when you let him out in it he would hop like a bunny.  When we would go sledding I could always count on him to chase me down the hill and then pull my sled back to the top.  The snow would form into big clumps on his fur and by the end of an outdoor snow adventure he would have hundreds of snowballs hanging from his body.  I know my mom has some good pictures of this.

Another favorite time with Dawson was bath time.  It would change a usually very fluffy dog into a "Cher in the 60's" look alike.  You could always tell he was a little embarrassed:). 

Dawson had the sweetest personality and couldn't hurt a fly.  You hear stories of dogs destroying shoes and pillows but Dawson wasn't into that.  He used to carry my beanie babies around the house, lie down and rest his head on them.  Not only was he sweet, but he was just a plain wimp.  Once we let him out into the backyard and he accidentally ran into a deer.  Dawson took off like a bullet and the deer chased him around the entire house.   

My dad was trapped in a house full of women and Dawson provided the male bonding time that he needed.  It was common to walk down stairs and see my dad watching a Red Wings game in his jersey and see his faithful companion wearing his Red Wings collar lying beside him.  My dad thinks he is a big tough guy but I know he is a softy when it comes to Dawson.   

Dawson put smiles on people's faces and isn't this something we all wish we could do?  Wish I had that last goodbye but what I do have is many happy memories and for that I am very grateful.

  

Solar Eclipse

Last Friday morning while at school I noticed that the lighting seemed very strange outside.  I saw Mrs. Cooper, a science teacher, taking pictures of the sun and she informed me that we were in the middle of a partial solar eclipse!  She has a special filter for her camera and was able to capture these amazing pictures.

Anzac Day

 Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.  Originally April 25th honored the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War 1.

Nick and I observed this day while relaxing on the beach at Agnes Water.

We had the beach to ourselves!